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enHull fined £30,000 for misconduct against FoxesHull City have been fined 30,000 by the Football Association for failing to control their players during a Premier League clash at Leicester City earlier this month.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hull-city-fined-ps30000-misconduct
The FA charged Hull following a flashpoint in the 68th minute of the goalless draw at the King Power Stadium after referee Jon Moss booked Alex Bruce for a challenge on Riyad Mahrez, which prompted an angry reaction from visiting players.
Hull subsequently denied the charge, with Steve Bruce hitting out at Leicester's "whinging" and the manner in which they surrounded his son in what he felt was an attempt to get the defender sent off.
The Hull boss also vowed to "vigorously defend" the action of his players.
However, the Regulatory Commission found the allegations proven and the club was hit with a financial penalty on Friday.
news_articleFri, 27 Mar 2015 14:33:49 +0000367276 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWest Brom to wear retro kit for Leicester clashWest Brom will wear a retro kit for their Premier League clash with Leicester City on April 11 to mark the launch of the Jeff Astle Foundation.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/west-brom-wear-retro-kit-leicester-clash
Astle, who scored 137 goals in292 appearances for the Hawthorns outfit,passed away from chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the age of just 59 in 2002.
The striker's debut came against Leicester in 1964 and the club have chosen the visit of Nigel Pearson's side to celebrate Jeff Astle Day.
West Brom's players will wearreplicas of the kitworn for the club's 1968 FA Cup win before auctioning them off to raise funds for the foundation.
"We promised at the start of the season to honour both Jeff and his family's efforts to raise awareness of an important issue by dedicating a home game to him - and it promises to be a special day," said chairman Jeremy Peace.
"We are absolutely delighted the Premier League have granted permission for this kit change as an additional salute to a footballer who remains much loved.
"We are mindful that it is only the second time this has happened, which I think says much about Jeff’s standing and the gravity football places on the issues his death raised."
Manchester United and Manchester City playedin retro kits to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster in 2008 - the only previous time the Premier League has granted permission for a change of kit.
news_articleThu, 26 Mar 2015 13:27:00 +0000366818 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPremier League clubs post pre-tax profitPremier League clubs have posted a combined pre-tax profit for the first time in 15 years, according to a report released on Thursday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/premier-league-clubs-post-first-pre-tax-profit-15-years
The figures for the 2013-14 season show clubs made a profit of £190 million, dwarfing the previous record of £49m set in 1997-98 and in stark contrast to the £2.6 billion of pre-tax losses accumulated over the past decade.
In terms of operating profit, which excludes player trading, net interest charges and the amortisation of player contracts, clubs raked in£620m- three times the previous record of £185m,seven-and-a-half times the £82m achieved in 2012-13 and more than the previous six seasons combined.
The report was compiled by financial experts Deloitte, with Sports Business Group partner Dan Jones explaining: "Last season was the first in the Premier League's current three-year broadcast deal, which was a record breaker when it was struck
"Combined with strong commercial growth at the highest revenue-generating clubs, this has boosted Premier League revenue 29 per centto a record £3.3bn. However, despite this extra income, clubs showed relative restraint in wage costs, which grew by six per centto £1.9bn.
"In the first year of the preceding two broadcast deals, 56 per centand 81 per centof respective revenue growth was absorbed by wage costs. This time it is less than 20 per cent.
"Over the previous 10seasons wages grew by around nine per centper year, which is higher than the average annual revenue growth of seven per centover that period, demonstrating further what a remarkable turnaround the 2013-14 figures represent."
Senior consultant Adam Bull suggested the introduction of UEFA'sFinancial Fair Play regulations could be behind the upturn.
"The introduction of cost control regulations at both a European and domestic level has caused many clubs to watch their spending more closely than ever before and created a useful tool for clubs to reduce the inflationary pressures during negotiations with players and agents.
"Also, the current broadcast deal has given Premier League clubs such a large revenue advantage over the vast majority of European clubs that they can still attract the top playing talent without over stretching themselves financially."
Jones concluded: "The primary aim of a football club is, and always should be, on-pitch success for the fans. However, we do welcome these results, which show that the Premier League clubs are starting to convert their impressive revenue growth into a more sustainable net result.
"With the recent announcement of another record Premier League broadcast deal, the revenue increases show no sign of ending and should make this season’s profit a regular outcome."
news_articleThu, 26 Mar 2015 00:47:03 +0000366624 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHull launch appeal against FA chargeHull City have launched an appeal againsta Football Association charge offailing to control their players in thePremier League clash with fellow strugglers Leicester City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/breaking-news-hull-appeal-against-fa-charge
The FA charged Hull following a flashpoint in the 68th minute of the goalless draw at the King Power Stadiumafter referee Jon Moss booked Alex Bruce for a strong challenge on Riyad Mahrez, which prompted an angry reaction from visiting players.
Hull posted on Twitter on Monday: "The Tigers have denied and appealed against the Football Association charge of failing to control their players during the Barclays Premier League fixture against Leicester City on Saturday 14 March.
"The appeal will be heard by an independent regulatory commission."
news_articleMon, 23 Mar 2015 17:27:48 +0000365642 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchmeichel: Leicester can still avoid the dropThe recalled Kasper Schmeichel felt Leicester City were unfortunate to lose at Tottenham, but knows they must tighten up at the back.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/leicester-can-still-avoid-drop-schmeichel
A hat-trick from Harry KaneandJeffrey Schlupp's own goal ensured Nigel Pearson's side were beaten 4-3 in the capital to remain seven points behind fourth-bottom Sunderland with a game in hand.
Leicester have only nine top-flight games remaining as they attempt to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, but goalkeeper Schmeichel insists they can still perform the great escape.
The Denmark international, who made his first start since December on Saturday, told the club's official website: "We came to White Hart Lane and scored three goals, and now there's no time for our heads to drop.
"We've nine games left and six of those are at home against teams that are in and around us. It's still in our hands and we have to do better, we have to win.
"It's disappointing but on the other hand I think we've got a reason to be proud of ourselves for the way we stuck at it. We went 2-0 down and got back to 2-2, then the penalty, that killed us.
"Then the fourth goal [Schlupp's own goal], that's just the way it's been going. But if we keep playing like that then we'll win more points than we lose."
news_articleMon, 23 Mar 2015 16:34:41 +0000365619 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPochettino lauds hat-trick hero KaneMauricio Pochettino hailed Harry Kane after the Tottenham striker celebrated his first England call-up by scoring a hat-trick in the 4-3 win against Leicester City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-lauds-hat-trick-hero-kane
With national boss Roy Hodgson watching on from the stands at White Hart Lane, Kane moved on to 19 top-flight goals this season - making him the division's top scorer.
"Fantastic performance. I am very pleased for him [Kane] - first time he's had three goals in the Premier League [in one game]," Pochettino said.
"Harry is part of Tottenham, I'm happy for him but I think we worked hard. It was a difficult game, but it's true Harry is a very important player for us.
"He's in a very good moment in his career."
Tottenham had squandered a two-goal lead to allow Leicester to draw level before a penalty handed Kane his hat-trick goal, withJeffrey Schlupp's own goal ensuringDavid Nugent's injury-time strike was only a consolation for the league's bottom side.
Pochettino felt the way Tottenham allowed their opponents back into the game would prove a valuable learning experience for his side, who were beaten 3-0 at Manchester United last time out.
"Maybe it's part of the process because we are a very young team and we need to improve," he added. "After this season we need to improve our defensive game. After Manchester United it was important to win."
The Argentine also confirmed that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was taken to hospital after being taken off injured following a collision with Kyle Walker in the fourth minute.
"We don't have news, he's in the hospital and we wait for the doctor now," he said. "We hope that nothing big, but we wait for the news. It's a big cut on the tendon on his knee."
news_articleSat, 21 Mar 2015 19:13:11 +0000364691 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPearson slams arrogant referee DeanNigel Pearson launched a tirade againstMike Dean after Leicester City were beaten 4-3 at Tottenham - describing the referee asone ofthe most arrogant men Ive ever met.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pearson-slams-arrogant-referee-dean
The Leicestermanager's outburst came after a match in which his side had come from two goals down to draw level, before a harsh penalty decision afforded Harry Kane the chance to net his hat-trick and put Tottenham back ahead.
"I just find it bizarre. That's about the nicest thing I can say.The arrogance of the man [Dean] is frightening," Pearson said.
"What's the point in talking to him?He's one of the most arrogant men I've ever met."
With just four league wins all season, Leicester are languishing at the foot of the table and safety is slipping out of sight, but Pearson felt his side played well at White Hart Lane.
"We conceded four, so I can't go over the top about our performance, but we played with a lot of quality at times," he added,
"Our players gave everything. Spurs scored four but will feel relieved to win. It's nine to go now."
news_articleSat, 21 Mar 2015 18:15:12 +0000364640 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPremier League: Tottenham 4 Leicester 3Harry Kane celebrated his first senior England call-up by scoring his maidenPremier Leaguehat-trick as Tottenham beat Leicester 4-3 in an enthrallingencounterat White Hart Lane.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/tottenham-4-leicester-city-3-kane-hits-hat-trick-front-hodgson
Former Leicester loaneeKanewas on Thursdayincluded in Roy Hodgson's squad for the upcoming internationals againstLithuania and Italy, and the England manager was in the stands to watch the striker's latest match-winning contribution on Saturday.
The 21-year-old put Tottenham two goals in front inside 13 minutes with a close-range finish andfortuitous goal that took a huge deflectionoff Robert Huth.
Leicester's last win came at Tottenham in the FA Cup back in January and they stunned the London club again as Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan scored either side of half-time to draw Nigel Pearson's strugglers level.
Kane put the home side back in front, though, slotting home from the penalty spot to become the leading scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals and aJeffrey Schlupp own goal restored Tottenham's two-goal cushion.
David Nugent set up a tense finale by pulling oneback in the 90th minute, but Tottenham held on topushbottom side Leicester closer to an immediate return to the Championship.
Mauricio Pochettino was forced to make an early change when goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was carried off after colliding withKyle Walker when making a last-ditch tackle on Vardy.
Michel Vorm came on to make his Premier League debut for Spurs, who were in front after only six minutes courtesy of yet another goal from Kane.
Leicester were caught out when Andros Townsend's corner was cleverly flicked on by Eric Dier and Kasper Schmeichel - makinghis first sta rt in2015 - palmed the ball straight at Kane, who finished from inside the six-yard box.
The visitors posed a threat going forward, but they were two goals down after only 13 minutes in a moment to forget for Huth.
The German defender intervened to cut out Walker's cutback, but his heavy touch fell invitingly for Kane and the man of the moment's scuffed shot hit Huth and looped into the far corner of the net.
Leicester were being opened up far too easily, butVardy gave Pearson's side a lifeline seven minutes before the break with a fine first-time finish from 12 yards after Nugent picked him out.
Nugent somehow failed to equalise from point-blank range under pressure from Ryan Mason after good work from Ulloa, but Morgan punished Tottenham for some dreadful defending to level five minutes after the break.
The Leicester captain was left unmarked from Matty James' corner and took advantage by stooping to beat Vorm with a powerful header.
Leicester looked the more likely to go on and win the game, but they were behind again after62 minutes when Nugent was adjudged to have barged over Rose after taking a poor touch and Kane sentSchmeichel the wrong way from the spot to complete his hat-trick.
Tottenham then sealed the points with another stroke of luck when Eriksen went through and his shot was saved bySchmeichel,but hit Schlupp and rolled into the net five minutes from time.
Nugent gave the visitors a glimmer of hope in the last minute, but Tottenham clung on to bounce back from last Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.
news_articleSat, 21 Mar 2015 17:30:11 +0000364606 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHull set to contest FA charge over Foxes clashHull City appear set to contest aFootball Association charge for failing to control their players, with manager Steve Bruce vowing to vigorously defend their actions.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hull-set-contest-fa-charge
The charge relates to an incident that unfoldedin the 68th minute of last Saturday's goallessPremier League drawat Leicester City.
Referee Jon Moss booked Alex Bruce for a strong challenge on Riyad Mahrez, much to the frustration of the visiting players, who voiced their disapproval towards the official.
The FA confirmed on Thursday that the club would be charged over the incident, but Bruce indicated at a news conference on Friday that the allegations would not be accepted.
"None of us want to see it [surrounding referees], that's for certain," he said. "I think all of my players [saw] the injustice of the referee and were trying to protect Alex.
"I've got the hugest respect for Mahrez because he's a very good player, but the way he rolled around the pitch is something we have to stamp out.
"I think that's what incenses all of us and the frustration was that he was blatantly trying to get somebody sent off.
"When you are injured, you don't roll around like that because you can't.
"If you study him and watch him as he rolls around, the Leicester players - and unfortunately it's creeping in everywhere - they wanted to get Alex sent off.
"For us, we surrounded the referee because it was a perfectly fair challenge, and we will vigorously defend it.
"I'm not saying that we should have surrounded the referee, but there was an injustice, and the one thing we've got to stamp out more than anything is people rolling around the floor faking injuries."
The surrounding of referees has come under the spotlight in recent weeks, with Chelsea facing criticism for their conduct in the build-up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's red card in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Hull host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
news_articleFri, 20 Mar 2015 11:20:15 +0000363928 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe much-maligned star who could help Spurs return to form against LeicesterAlex Keblelooks forward to a potentially tasty tussle between Andros Townsend and Leicesters Jeff Schlupp...Alex Keblehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/much-maligned-star-who-could-help-spurs-return-form-against-leicester
Leicester's recent switch to a 3-5-2 formation has yet to yield a change in the club's fortunes, but in the 0-0 draw with Hull last weekend, Nigel Pearson's decision to play Jeffrey Schlupp as a wing-back showed signs of promise. A head-to-head battle on that flank between Andros Townsend and Schlupp could be where this match is decided.
Schlupp has been one of the livelier performers for Leicester this season, his power and pace from the left flank a key component in the majority of their counter-attacks. However, against Hull he was asked to perform a more complex defensive role, making four tackles, three dribbles, and having 66 touches of the ball to dominate the left flank.
This Saturday will be a tougher task, with Townsend – looking more confident as the season progresses, despite a poor showing at Old Trafford last weekend – likely to hug the same touchline.
Across his last three starts, Townsend has averaged three dribbles per game and seven crosses, up from a season average of 0.8 dribbles and 3.5 crosses.
Note how Townsend gets to the byline, offering an alternative route for Spurs.
It is highly likely that Spurs will dominate possession (58.2% average at home), meaning that Schlupp will operate primarily as a defender – a role he was first introduced to by former Foxes boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. However, with Townsend's propensity to play high up the pitch and defend sporadically, Leicester's new wing-back will be ready to pounce on any opportunity to counter-attack.
Townsend tracks back to tackle, but his defensive contributions are fairly limited. Schlupp enjoys dribbling on the break, but is somewhat unpredictable.
Tottenham have struggled to penetrate opposition teams all season, partly because of a lack of speed in attacking areas and partly because their playmakers all prefer to operate in central areas of the pitch.
Townsend's pace offers a partial solution to this issue, and with Schlupp representing Leicester's main threat, it is quite possible that the winner of this individual battle will secure victory for their team.
Tottenham vs Leicester LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 20 Mar 2015 10:00:17 +0000Joe Brewin363533 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPremier League Preview: Tottenham v LeicesterNigel Pearson knowshisLeicester City side must be near our best when they faceTottenham Hotspur on Saturday as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/tottenham-v-leicester-city-pearson-calls-positivity
The sides meet for the third time this season at the weekend,with Tottenham looking to get their bid for European qualification back on track andPearson's men bottom of the table needinga great escape in order to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Winless in seven top flight-games, Leicester are seven points adrift of Sunderland - who sit just above the bottom three -going into their final 10 games.
Pearson has urged his side to take a positive approach as they attempt a repeat of their FA Cup fourth roundwin at Tottenham in January.
"It's not a case of going there and shutting up shop, its important we go there and try get something out of the game," said Pearson, who remains without Dean Hammond (calf) and Anthony Knockaert (personal issues).
"We have to make sure we remain in touch and that our destinystays in our own hands.
"We have to make an impact but there is still a belief in our camp we can do something about it.
"I've got a strong belief in the players we have. We haven't been able to get into winning positions in tight games although there haven'tbeen too many occasions where we've been out of the game.
"We played them in the FA Cup and came away with a win but the complexion will be different.We played them on Boxing Dayand were very unfortunate to lose that game. It was probably one of our better performances of the season.
"They've very talented players and at home they can cause teams problems. I like to think we would be deemed to be respectable opposition, we have to be near our best."
Tottenham were swept aside by Manchester United in the first half last weekend,concedingall three goals in the first half,and the London club are now six points behindLouis van Gaal's fourth-placed side following that 3-0 defeat.
Like opposite number Pearson, Mauricio Pochettino is not reading too much into past meetings ahead of Saturday's clash.
"In the last few games,Leicester have played differently from when we played them in the FA Cup - they've changed the system," explained the Argentinean.
"We expect a different team playing in a different way. We expect a very tough game and an important game because we have nine games left and it'simportant to start to win points."
Pochettino will be hopingRyan Mason (dead leg) is passed fit, while Harry Kane is set to lead the line against his former club two days after securing his first England call-up.
news_articleThu, 19 Mar 2015 16:46:06 +0000363517 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLeicester preparation easy for PochettinoTottenham are ready to put right the wrongs from their defeat to Manchester United this weekend when they host Leicester City, says Mauricio Pochettino.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/leicester-preparation-easy-pochettino
A heavy 3-0 loss at Old Trafford dealt a blow to Tottenham's top-four ambitions in the Premier League, leaving Pochettino baffled at their abject display.
"This week you don't need to speak too much, it's an easy week," said the Tottenham boss. "We are all agreed about what happened at Old Trafford so it's easy to fix that.
"We are all disappointed after that game. We know how we need to change or to fix that and for me, after nine months here, it has been one of the easier weeks.
"We need to show that it hasn't damaged us too much and to try to give our best and get the three points.
"It's important to fix many problems and try to show on Saturday against Leicester that it was only a temporary problem [against United]."
news_articleThu, 19 Mar 2015 15:07:28 +0000363463 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPearson urges Leicester to keep the faithLeicester City boss Nigel Pearson has urged his players not to give up on their survival bid with10 games remainingin the Premier League season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pearson-urges-leicester-keep-faith
Pearson's side are seven points adrift of Sunderland, who are directly above the relegation zone, with a game in handhaving won just four times in the top flightfollowing promotion from the Championship.
With sixof those 10 games taking place at the King Power Stadium, Pearson maintains there is cause for optimism ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham.
"There will be results that surprise people and we have to make sure some of those go our way rather than our other competitors," Pearson said on Thursday.
"We've got 10games left, six at home.Our home form has not been what we would like but if we get into the latter stages in contact then we can be relatively positive.
"What's important going into the last 10 is the clarity within our ranks as to what we need to achieve. The priority for us is to improve home form.
"It's a big task for us and with the points we have and the shift in form we have to achieve, I wouldn't be in any doubt that not many people will share my belief.
"But it'simportant the players remain upbeat because10 games left is a sizeable chunk of the season.
"We're in a difficult situation but we've still got games left, and ultimately our results have to substantially improve.
"We've been competitive. If you saw us play every week you wouldn'tnecessarily recognise us as a side propping up the table butthat's the reality, that's life,there's no point sticking your head in the sand.
"We've 10 games left and we've got to do something about it."
news_articleThu, 19 Mar 2015 15:04:36 +0000363467 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTop 10 insane injury-times: brilliant Bergkamp, heart attacks and own goals ahoyAfter Huddersfield and Norwich traded dramatic blows in midweek, Yannick Hesse and Dominic Shine recall 10 other episodes of late lunacy...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/top-10-insane-injury-times-brilliant-bergkamp-heart-attacks-and-own-goals-ahoy
Barbados vs Grenada (1994)
In this qualifier for the 1994 Caribbean Cup, Barbados needed to win by a two-goal margin in order to qualify for the finals.
However, a new rule tested by the cup’s organisers somewhat complicated things. It stated that a period of 'Golden Goal' extra time should be used to decide any match that was tied after 90 minutes.
That might not sound too crazy, until you consider the fact these were 'round robin' matches, rather than a straight knock-out. Also, any Golden Goal would count double – important, given goal difference could help determine the final standings of the group.
Barbados had their required 2-0 scoreline until a few minutes from the end, when Grenada pulled one back in the 87thminute. The hosts had to regain their winning margin, but rather than push for a dramatic decider in the dying seconds, their quick-thinking players realised that it would actually be better to score an own goal and force extra-time, which would give them longer to secure victory by a two-goal margin (which they'd achieve by scoring once –still with us...?)
One of the Barbados players wellied the ball into his own net, but then things only got weirder. Grenada quickly realised that a goal at either end in the remaining minutes would win them the group, and thus Barbados were forced to spend the three minutes of injury time defending both goals. Somehow they succeeded, and the game went into extra-time, where Barbados scored the Golden Goal which ensured them a 4-2 win and qualification for the Caribbean Cup.
Leicester vs Arsenal (1997/98)
With Arsenal boasting a 2-0 lead at Filbert Street thanks to Dennis Bergkamp’s brilliant brace in August 1997, the Gunners looked to be cruising towards another three points with less than 10 minutes remaining.
But it merely set up one of the most astonishing finishes to a Premier League game ever.
A late Emile Heskey goal looked a mere consolation for Leicester with six minutes of normal time remaining, only for Matt Elliott’s deflected 93rd-minute effort to level things up. But in the 94th, Bergkamp completed his hat-trick with one of the greatest goals in Premier League history, bringing down David Platt’s looping ball beautifully before bamboozling Elliott and slotting past Kasey Keller.
With Arsenal players pleading for the final whistle, Leicester won a corner in the 96th minute. And, following some head tennis in the Arsenal area, Foxes skipper Steve Walsh pounced to power a header past David Seaman and secure an unlikely draw.
Thailand vs Indonesia (1998)
Spectators of this 1998 AFF Championship group match between Thailand and Indonesia witnessed one of the strangest injury-time goals in the history of international football.
Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals, but the group winner was yet to be determined. At first, the players appeared to take the game seriously, with Indonesia taking the lead twice and Thailand drawing level accordingly. But things took a strange turn when the clock ticked to 90 minutes.
Suddenly, in injury-time, Indonesia twigged that the group winner would have to face tournament hosts Vietnam in the semi-finals, while the runners-up would meet the far weaker Singapore.
Indonesian defender Mursyid Effendi put one into his own net, despite the Thai players’ best efforts to prevent it, successfully losing the match for his team. However, Effendi's actions were not without dire consequences: he was given a lifetime international ban for unsporting behaviour.
Pleasingly, his dastardly plot was foiled days later, when Indonesia slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat to Singapore in the semi-finals, with the underdogs eventually winning the tournament.
Hamburg vs Bayern Munich/Schalke vs Unterhaching (2000/01)
The 2000/01 Bundesliga season saw Bayern going into the last matchday with a three-point advantage over chasing Schalke, and thus only needing a point at Hamburg. Schalke’s better goal difference meant adefeat for FC Hollywood would have enabled the Gelsenkirchen outfitto win the Bundesliga for the first time since 1958 if they beat lowly Unterhaching.
So it was no wonder that Schalke's Parkstadion erupted when news spread that Sergej Barbarez had given Hamburg the lead in the 90th minute. With Schalke winning their own game 5-3 against Unterhaching, this meant the title for die Knappen, whose fans ran onto the pitch, flung their arms around one another and shed tears of joy as fireworks exploded around them.
But this was a pre-smartphone era, however, and most fans didn’t realise that the match in Hamburg wasn’t over. In the fourth minute of injury time, Bayern's Patrik Andersson duly fired an indirect free-kick into the net, snatching the trophy from Schalke at the death.
Liverpool vs Arsenal (1988/89)/Man City vs QPR (2011/12)
In the final game of the 1988/89 season, first-placed Liverpool hosted second-placed Arsenal with both teams still able to become champions. For the Gunners to do it, they needed to win by two clear goals. But despite having taken a 1-0 lead, it seemed unlikely that George Graham’s side would grab that much-needed second goal, especially with only a single minute added on.
That was until John Barnes lost the ball in the attacking third, allowing Arsenal to punt the ball forward for one last attack. Cue Michael Thomas bursting clean on goal to slot past a hapless Bruce Grobbelaar, taking the title to Highbury.
FEATUREThe greatest-ever title finish? Arsenal's 1989 triumph over Liverpool, told by the players
History has a funny way of repeating itself – and the moment Sergio Aguero won the title for Manchester City in 2012 came in similarly jaw-dropping circumstances.
Roberto Mancini’s men knew Manchester United had beaten Sunderland 1-0, and thus needed to win themselves to claim the title. But City were behind 2-1 to relegation-threatened QPR going into five minutes of injury-time.
Edin Dzeko equalised after one of those, before Aguero latched onto Mario Balotelli’s poked pass in the 94th minute to send Sky commentator Martin Tyler loopy.
Borussia Dortmund vs Malaga (2012/13)
Despite an outstanding 2012/13 Champions League campaign, Borussia Dortmund were about to bid farewell to Europe’s premier competition at the quarter-final stage. At least, that’s what everybody thought when Eliseu gave Malaga a 2-1 lead with only seven minutes to go.
The first leg in Spain had ended in a goalless draw, meaning Dortmund now needed two goals to reach the semi-final.
Die Schwarzgelben, usually sparkling with joy that season, appeared so anxious that few people thought them capable of offering something in reply. But the team silenced the doubters, as Marco Reus pulled one back in the 91st minute, before centre-back Felipe Santana nudged the ball home a minute later.
Four (!) Dortmund players had been offside, including the goalscorer himself. Surprisingly, Dortmund fans didn’t care. Jurgen Klopp's men saw off Real Madrid in the semis, before going down to Arjen Robben's winner in an all-German Wembley final against Bayern Munich.
Brentford vs Doncaster/Watford vs Leicester (2012/13)
Two remarkable promotion tussles ended in spookily similar fashion in May 2013.
First, with Bournemouth already assured promotion from League One, Brentford and Doncaster met at Griffin Park on the final day, knowing whoever won would take the second automatic promotion spot.
Deep into injury-time with the score at 0-0, Brentford were awarded a potentially decisive penalty. Marcello Trotta, on loan from Fulham, wrestled the ball from designated penalty taker Kevin O’Connor, before promptly smacking his spot-kick against the bar. In the blink of an eye, Doncaster broke and netted a dramatic winner via James Coppinger.
With Bournemouth having failed to win at Tranmere, Rovers were champions. Brentford, broken and condemned to the play-offs, lost in the semi-finals to Swindon.
And so to Watford and Leicester’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg meeting at Vicarage Road. With the match poised at 2-2 on aggregate and about to enter extra-time, Anthony Knockaert won a dubious penalty (given by Michael Oliver, the referee in charge of the aforementioned Brentford clash).
Hornets keeper Manuel Almunia pulled off a sensational double save, allowing Watford to counter. No need to guess the rest: within 20 seconds Kasper Schmeichel had flapped at the other end, before Troy Deeney fired the Hornets to Wembley (where they lost to Crystal Palace).
Huddersfield vs Barnsley (2012/13)
The same season's final day in the Championship was one of the most spectacular on record. Huddersfield and Barnsley both had a chance of filling the final relegation spot ahead of their fixture; the Terriers would have avoided relegation by dodging defeat, while Barnsley, who started the afternoon in the bottom three, needed to win. Peterborough went into their game against promotion-chasing Crystal Palace ahead on goal difference, so only needed to match Barnsley's result.
Sheffield Wednesday, at home to Middlesbrough, were only a point above the drop zone; Millwall two; and even Blackburn in 17th weren’t out of the woods for certain (although they would've needed a freakishly large goal-swing to slip into the third tier).
Going into the final 10 minutes of an afternoon full of twists and turns, Barnsley had a 2-1 lead at Huddersfield, while Peterborough were ahead by the same scoreline at Selhurst Park. Wednesday were out in the clear; Millwall level. As it stood, Huddersfield were down on goal difference.
But in those crucial final minutes, everything changed. Huddersfield equalised, while Crystal Palace turned the game around against Peterborough to lead 3-2 in the 89th minute, in between which time Millwall conceded (not that it mattered too much by this point).
With the Posh score trickling through to the Galpharm Stadium, as things stood, Huddersfield and Barnsley were safe. So for the final two minutes, Tykes goalkeeper Luke Steele simply kept the ball unopposed in his area to ensure safety.
SV Burlage vs RSV Emden (2013/14)
Digging deep in the national district leagues can sometimes yield remarkable stories. For instance, see this clash between north German clubs SV Burlage and RSV Emden in the Bezirksliga (seventh division). It may not sound very exciting, but their match in April 2014 was fit for Hollywood.
After Burlage gained a comfortable 2-0 lead, the visitors managed a sensational comeback, making it 3-2, and later even 4-3. However, the hosts turned the match around again and scored to make it 5-4 in the 79thminute. With only five minutes to go, Emden equalised again, which made the score 5-5 after 90 minutes. By this stage, Burlage were three men down – two players had been sent off, and another, brilliantly, had to leave the pitch to arrive at work on time.
In injury time, the linesman denied Emden a winning goal, but the players had no time to protest –an ambulance sped across the pitch and stopped in front of the home team’s bench to resuscitate Burlage coach Jan Rieken, whose pacemaker couldn’t cope with all the earlier celebrating.
When doctors gave the all-clear, the referee proceeded with the rest of the injury-time, where Matthias Tinnemeyer eventually scored a sixth for the depleted Burlage. Rieken, who was on the way to the hospital, couldn’t celebrate this time.
Atletico Lanus vs Arsenal de Sarandi (2014)
Going into this match, Lanus were aiming to close the gap on league leaders River Plate with victory over mid-table Arsenal de Sarandi.
However, as the match entered the first of five minutes of injury time, Lanus trailed 1-2. In the final seconds of that fifth minute, Lanus won a corner and equalised through Diego Gonzalez. With next to no time left on the clock, a draw seemed certain.
Yet referee Andres Merlos controversially managed to find four extra minutes of added time, much to the obvious fury of Arsenal staff. In an additional (additional) period that featured a wild kung-fu kick that went unpunished, Lanus nicked a winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time. The reaction? A mass brawl between players and coaches on both sides, and a pitch invasion to boot.
Ref Merlos was suspended indefinitely by the Argentine FA.
featureThu, 19 Mar 2015 12:50:09 +0000Joe Brewin363351 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHull hit with FA charge over Foxes conductThe Football Association has charged Hull City with failing to control their players during an incident in Saturdays 0-0 draw at Leicester City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hull-hit-fa-charge
The flashpoint took place in the 68th minute of the Premier Leaguecontest at the King Power Stadium.
Referee Jon Moss booked Alex Bruce for a strongchallenge on Riyad Mahrez, much to the chagrin of the visiting players, who voiced their disapproval towards the official.
A statement from the FA read: "Hull City have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.
"The allegation relates to an incident which occurred in or around the 68th minute of their fixture against Leicester City on 14 March 2015."
Hull have until March 23 to respond to the charge.
news_articleWed, 18 Mar 2015 17:25:20 +0000363037 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com